Valve



June 6, 1950 w. J. BowAN ETAL 2,510,494

VALVE Filed Aug. 20, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wa/fer-J Ban an Freaky/bk Trafzik as, Wig?! Lulu-M June 6, 1950 w. J. BOWAN EI'AL VALVE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 20, 1945 m 3 0 Z WWW a 57 1. k 4K- a F 3 WW m m .f WF rw W "F W 1m 1 a 2 5 m 2 5 m F Patented Junefi, I

vanvs Walter 1. Bowen and Frederick Tratlik, Decatur, 11L, assig'nors to Mueller 00., Decatur, IIL, a corporation of Illinois Application August 20, 1945, Serial No. 811,465 7 Claima (Cl. 251-971) The present invention relates to valves.

Objects of the, invention are to provide valves which may be economically constructed, will provide an extremely eiilcient seal in a flow line under pressure. and which may be readily operated even when used with extremely high line pressures.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an axial section through a valve of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure 3,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the structure shown in Figure 1 but with the plug or valve element rotated 90' from the closed position of Figure 1, viz., to open position. Figure 3 is also a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, but with the plug closed, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary axial section showing a modified form of operating means.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the numeral Ill designates the valve casing member which is provided with a flow-passageway ll including an inlet [2 and an outlet IS. A tapered valve seat bore 14 extends transversely of the flow passageway I I, the larger end l5 of the seat bore opening to a chamber II; which is closed at its outer end by a plate or cap l1 secured in position by means of bolts as shown in Figure 1. A gasket may be provided between the plate I I and the casing member. As is indicated in Figure 4, a stop block l8 extends upwardly from the plate H to limit rotation of the valve plug or element in. a manner hereinafter described.

The smaller end of the seat bore l4 also extends through the casing member Ill but is closed by a bossed plate 2| secured to the casing by bolts 22. Plate 2| includes a bore 23 of a smaller diameter than the smaller end 20 of the 2 vided with a resilient covering. Instead, the plug may be formed entirely of metal and. in such case, either the plug or casing member seating surface, or both of them, may be provided 5 with lubricating grooves or ports of any suitable pattern.

The larger end of the plug 25 extends into the chamber It at the larger end of the casing member lo and this end of the plug includes a central l0 socket 30. A coil spring 3| of suflicient strength to normally hold the plug seated is positioned in the socket 30, with the outer end of the spring bearing upon the plate II. If the plug is covered with rubber or the like, a metal wear plate 32 18 may be positioned in the inner end of the socket to provide a firm bearing for the spring ii. The larger end of the plug is also provided with an arcuate recess 33 which cooperates with the stop block It to limit rotation of the plug to 90.

20 A port 34 extends from the inlet passage l2 of the casing to the chamber l6 so that line pressure may act upon the larger end of the plug to hold it seated.

The smaller end of the plug 25 is provided with 25 a connection which cooperates with a similar structure formed on the irmer end of the operatstem 40. The operating connection on the p1 g includes a pair of diametrically opposite and concentric concave cam surfaces 4| and 42.

39 each of which is of V-shapedform. The cam v 4| includes an incline 43 and a second incline 44,

these two inclines meeting to form the apex 45 of the cam surface. Cam surface 42 includes corresponding surfaces 43a and 44a'and an'apex.

As best shown in Figure 3, the cam surfaces 4| and 42 are arranged at an acute angle to a radius of the plug, with their point of greatest depth distant from the axis of the'plug.

The cam surfaces 4| and 42 extend through an arc of somewhat less than 60 as best shown in Figure 2 and these surfaces extend upwardly to a flat surface on the plug so that flats 48 are provided adjacent both ends of each cam surface. Between the flats 48, and midway between the cam surfaces 4| and 42, the plug is provided with recesses or pockets 49 and 50. It will be observed from Figure 2 that the cam surfaces 4| and 42 and the recesses 49 and 50 are arranged so about a circular line concentric with the plug axis.

The inner edges of the cams and recesses niay be defined by a central socket in the plug. The recess 49 has end walls 49a and 4% while pocket 50 includes end walls 501: and 50b. These end walls preferably extend in planes which lie on the axis of the plug.

The operating stem or element 4|! is equipped with two concave, arcuate and V-shaped cam surfaces 6| and 62 which will normally lie directly opposite the plug cam surfaces 4| and 42, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, the cam surface 61 includes inclines 63 and 64 which meet at an apex 65. The cam surface 82 is provided with corresponding surfaces. Flats 66 are provided with corresponding surfaces. Flats 68 are provided at the ends of the cam surfaces GI and 62 of the operating member and projections 61 and 68 are formed intermediate the ends of these flats, the projections being adapted to extend into the pockets or recesses 49 and 50. respectively. The projection 81 includes a shoulder 61a at one end thereof and a shoulder 61b at its other resistance to operation to be readily overcome.

end, which shoulders lie in planes which lie on the axis of the stem. lThe projection 68 includes corresponding shoulders 68a and 681). It will be observed from Figures 2 and 3 that the projections 61 and 68 are of a length circumferentialll! of the plug which is less than the corresponding dimension of the sockets 49 and 50. respectively. In this way. the projections 61 and 68 have a loose fit with respect to the recesses circumferentially of the 'plug and operating element 40. It will be observed that the recesses 49 and 50 have a depth axially of the plug and the same is true of the projections 61 and 68.

A roller 15 is positioned between the cam surfaces 4! and GI while a roller I6 is positioned between the cam surfaces 42 and 62. The rollers are of tapered formation to conform to the surfaces of the cams and are rounded at their outer ends as indicated at 11 so that they will have a single point bearing upon the inner cylindrical surface of a holding ring 18 which fits about the inner end of the operating stem or element 40. The rollers 15 and 76 are held in proper position radially of the cam surfaces by the ring 18 and. because the rollers are tapered, no other securing means is required to maintain them in position. i

As shown in Figure 1, the operating stem 40 is of reduced diameter outwardly of the structure which has just been described so that a shoulder 19 is provided thereon. A roller bearing assembly 80 is positioned between this shoulder and a retainer sleeve 8|. Retainer sleeve 8| is threaded in the bore 23 of the plate 2| and. at its outer end, it is provided with flat surfaces indicated at 82 adapted to be engaged by a suitable wrench. Stem 40 extends outwardly beyond the sleeve 8| .and may be squared as indicated at 83 to receive an operating handle or wrench. Sleeve 8| serves to hold stem 40 against outward movement.

In operation. the plug 25 will 'be held firmly seated either by means of the spring 3| bearing against its larger end or by the action of flow line fluid entering the chamber l6 from the inlet side l2 of the flow passage II. The seating pressure necessary in a large sized valve used to control high pressure markedly interferes with the rotation of the plug, regardless of whether the plug is coated with rubber as is illustrated, or includes a metal seat surface. The operating connections between the stem 83 and the plug 25 enable this let.

More particularly, if the plug is in closed position as indicated in Figure 1 and is thereby urged firmly toward the smaller end of the valve body seat by the seating means, rotation of the stem 83 in a clockwise direction to rotate the plug to the position indicated in Figures 2 and 3 will result in the following action: Initial rotation of stem 83 of operating element 40 will cause the incline 63 of cam surface 6| to move to the right in Figure 1 and over the roller 15, forcing that roller along the incline 44 of cam surface 4|. The diametrically opposite roller 16 will act upon in a similar manner. As a result, the plug 2! will be moved axially of the seat bore |4. When the plug has been moved axially a sufficient distance to slightly unseat it, the plug will rotate with the stem 40. If the resistance of the plug to rotation is too high to be overcome solely by the turning moment imparted by the cam surfaces with respect to the rollers, the continued rotation of stem 40 with respect to the plug will bring the end faces of the projections 61 and 68 into abutment with the opposed end walls of the pockets 49 and 50, respectively. A positive rotary drive connection will thus be set up between the operating stem 40 and the plug 25. In practice, the circumferential dimension of the pockets 49 and 50 can be so established with respect to the circumferential dimension of the projections 61 and 68 that at the time when the plug has been moved axially a sufficient distance to release it for turning, the projections will come into contact with the end walls of the recesses. That is, by properly regulating these dimensions as well as the inclination of the cam surfaces, the plug will not be unseated too far before the more positive rotational drive is imparted thereto.

It is found that the use of cooperating V-shaped cams on the operating stem 40 and the plug 25 enables the plug to be unseated more rapidly than with cam surfaces of other types. In addition, the use of projections and pockets between the cam surfaces instead of at the ends thereof insures a more positive rotating action.

If the plug is covered with resilient material as illustrated in the drawings, the camsurfaces of the plug and operating element will be so formed that their apices or median lines will be parallel to the axis of the plug flow port 26, as is also illustrated in the drawings. One purpose of this arrangement is as follows: When a rubber coated plug is closed in a high pressure line, the pressure on the inlet side I! urges the plug toward the outlet generally canting or tilting the plug with respect to the casing member seat bore axis so that the larger end of the plug would be very slightly to the right of the position shown in Figure 1. As a result, the rubber coating on the side of the plug at the outlet passageway bulges somewhat into the mouth of the out- By the structure of the present valve, if plug 25 is canted by pressure at inlet l2 as described above, incline 44 of cam surface 4| would be tilted upwardly and to the right from the position shown in Figure 1. In such case, the initial turning of operating element 40 would cause roller 15 to bear on incline 44 to thereby move the plug to a position'coaxial with the operating element 40 and easing seat bore. This movement would withdraw from the mouth of outlet I i any rubber which has bulged into that mouth. Further rotation of stem 4|! would move the plug axially to slightly unseat it, and the projections and recess walls would then contact to impart positive rotation to the plug.

It has been found that in order to insure that the plug 25 will always be firmly seated, it is necessary that the cam surfaces should not have too close a contact with the rollers I5 and 18. That is, if the operating stem 49 is positioned too far inwardly of the seat bore, the plug may not be seated firmly enough against the smaller end of the seat bore because it is held from seated position by the operating stem 49. Nevertheless, unless the holding sleeve 9| is firmly threaded into or sealed with respect to the cap plate 2|, leakage can occur between sleeve 8| and cap plate 2|. In order to overcome this difficulty, a sealing element 99 of the type known as an O-ring is positioned between a shoulder 9| of the sleeve 9| and an opposed shoulder 92 on the cap plate 2|.

O-rings are annular and endless and formed of in radial section, though it is shown compressed to elliptical section by the surfaces 9| and 92. The surfaces 9| and 92 form part of an annular space 99a which is-rectangular in radial section.

Assuming now that pressure flows outwardly in the space 99a, 1. e., along lines parallel to the surfaces SI and 92, this pressure will act upon the inner circumferential surface of ring 99 and will flatten that surface. However, flattening of that surface will cause the ring to expand in radial section along lines normal, to the direction of pressure, i. e., along lines normal to the surfaces 9| and 92. Therefore, the ring will closely engage the surfaces 9| and 92 to form a tight seal therewith.

Because of the above characteristic of the 0- ring 99, the valve of Figures 1 to 4 may be installed in the following manner: When the valve has been connected in a fiow line, and the plug is in closed position, the sleeve 9| may be threaded inwardly sufiiciently far to bring the operating stem 49 into, firm contact with the rollers 15 and 18, these rollers then being positioned at the apices of the cam surfaces. When this firm contact has been established, the O-ring 99 will be compressed to a certain extent, between the surfaces 9| and 92. However, the sleeve 9| may then be backed out, for example, by about one-quarter of a turn, so that sufficient play will be provided between the rollers and cam surfaces to insure that the operating stem cannot hold the plug from properly seated position. However, the fact that the operating stem has been backed outwardly from its most inward position will not result in a poor seal at the O-ring because such pressure as then leaks up past the threads of the sleeve 8| will act outwardly upon the O-ring 99 to expand the latter in a direction vertically of Figure 1 to thereby maintain a, properseal between plate 2| and sleeve 8|.

The above stated characteristic of an O-ring ing between stem 49 and the sleeve 8| will-cause O-ring to spread horizontally as viewed in Figure 1 to thereby prevent leakage either inwardly or outwardly of the valve structure.

Figure 5 shows a modified valve structure which is identical with that disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 except that packing rings of a type other than an O-ringare used therein. In more detail, a packing ring or washer 98 is provided between the holding sleeve 8|a and the cap plate 2|a. In order to insure that the cam surface I99 will not hold the plug 25a slightly off its seat when the sleeve 8|a is threaded far enough inwardly to establish a tight seal at the ring 99, the cam surfaces of the operating stem 49a, which cam surfaces are typified by that shown at |9|, are recessed as indicated at |9| at a point intermediate their length. The recess |9| is of sumcient depth and all other dimensions are so maintained that when the sleeve 8 la. is in firm sealing contact with the packing 98, the roller will not not be in the recess. As a result, the plug 25a is free to move axially without bringing roller 15a into contact with the outer end of recess |9|. A packing ring I92 of suitable form is also provided in a groove I93 surrounding the operating stem 49a.

A set screw, not shown, will be provided in the plates 2| and. 2|a to hold the retainer sleeves 8| and Ma, respectively, in adjusted position.

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, the scope of the invention being indicated in the claims.

.We claim:

1. In a valve, a casing member provided with a flow passageway and a seat bore extending transversely of the flow passageway, a valve element including a flow-port rotatably mounted in the seat bore, means to urge the valve element toward one end of the seat bore, a valve operating element at said end of the seat bore and rotatable in the casing member about the axis of the seat bore, the inner end of said operating element being opposite the adjacent end of the valve element, the opposed ends of said elements being provided with cooperating means to move the valve element axially of the seat bore and rotate the valve element in the seat bore comprising circumferentially extending concave V-shaped cam surfaces, and, circumferentially between said surfaces, one element being provided with an axially extending recess and the other element being provided with a projection extending axially into the recess, the projection being of less circumferential extent than the recess, rollers between said cam surfaces, and means carried by said casing member to hold said operating element against movement outwardly with respect to said casing member.

2. A valve of the character defined in claim 1 wherein two diametrically opposite cam surfaces are provided on each element.

3. A valve of the character defined in claim 1 wherein two diametrically opposite cam surfaces are provided on each element and a line radially intersecting both surfaces on the valve element is parallel to the axis of the valve element flow port.

4. A valve of the character defined in claim 1 wherein each cam surface of one of said elements includes a pocket at its apex.

5. A valve of the character defined in claim 1 wherein the casing member seat bore and valve element are tapered and the operating element is at the smaller end of the valveelement.

6. A valve of the character defined in claim 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS wherein a. ringumember surrounds the operntinl Number Rm Date element and r0 era.

7. A valve or the character defined in claim 1 $35 :3; wherein the cam surfaces are inclined so as to 85:2 Mueller 1942 diverge toward their outer circumterential edges, 2,298 036 Cohen Oct 1942 said rollers are correspondingly tapered and have 3 308300 Pam 3 1943 their outer ends rounded, and a ring including a cylindrical inner surface encircles the outer ends FOREIGN ENTS of the rollers. 10 Number Country Date WALTER J. ROWAN. 516,614 Great Britain of 1939 FREDERICK TRATZIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the a me of this patent: 

